From Acknowledgements to FriendStories to Writing Another Book

This is part of the Bittersweet Book Launch case study, where Dan Blank and Miranda Beverly-Whittemore share the yearlong process of launching her novel. You can view all posts here.


by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore

1) My copyedit is finally into Crown! I’ll still have a couple chances to glance at the typeset pages, but that was my last pass on making any substantive changes. I also got to write the acknowledgements which is one of my favorite parts of writing a book. It’s so moving to look back at all the people who’ve helped me along the journey, not to mention all those people who I know will be helping me in the year(s) to come. There are moments when it feels so lonely writing a book, and it’s a good reminder that you’re not alone!

2) I’m loving the new look of FriendStories. My goals this week are to reach out to a handful of writer friends to solicit some FriendStories for them. Would you like to be included in this exclusive first pass? If so, please let me know. I’m so excited to expand this project and I can’t wait for some other voices.

3) Now that the copyedit’s in, I’m starting to feel my mind drift to that sweet place of the next book. It’s all puppies and rainbows right now, a dream book in which I won’t write myself into any corners or face any thankless workdays. I’m going to enjoy this rosy-colored view while I can.

4) In the meantime, I’ve got Columbia theses to read, a personal website to redesign, FriendStories to scheme about, and all the other stuff life is throwing at me! I think I’m going to go take a shower.